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The governing bodies of rugby in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Brazil submitted the technical information to World Rugby, duly complying with the bid processes to host the 2035 Men’s Rugby World Cup. It comes after confirmed bids from Spain and 2019 hosts Japan.
 RWC HOSTS AND BIDDING PROCESS |
The host selection process for Rugby World Cup 2035 is structured by World Rugby as a transparent, multi-phase model that allows both one country and multi-territory consortiums to bid for hosting rights.
Built on core principles of commercial optimization, operational alignment via an owner-organizer model, and explicit contractual certainty prior to selection, the process ensures all candidates adhere to standardized operational benchmarks.
The formal timeline initiated with expressions of interest in October 2025, which progressed to the submission of detailed applicant questionnaires in the third quarter of 2026.
Currently, World Rugby is managing the site evaluation window, conducting physical feasibility studies and inspecting proposed stadium infrastructures. This evaluative phase will culminate in the identification of a preferred host in May 2027, followed by a definitive vote and formal appointment by the World Rugby Council in November 2027.
The preliminary process includes the submission of documentation, site visits to candidate venues, and the announcement of preferred hosts in May 2027. The final decision will be made by the World Rugby Council.
The region, led by the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR), has submitted all the information required for World Rugby to evaluate as part of the decision-making process for the 2035 World Cup host.
The submitted bid stipulates that, if selected to host the 2035 RWC, all four countries will stage World Cup matches. It includes major stadiums across Argentina and in Southern Cone metropolitan cities.
| ARGENTINA + SOUTH AMERICA BID |
With a combined population of 283 million, growing economies, diverse landscapes, and experience hosting multiple international events this century—ranging from rugby tournaments and global sports championships to the Olympic Games and multi-sport events—the region offers strong credentials as an attractive destination for the Rugby World Cup, our sport’s flagship event.
The proposed stadiums include the Estadio Monumental (River Plate) and José Amalfitani (Vélez Sarsfield) in Buenos Aires, Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona in La Plata, Mario Alberto Kempes in Córdoba, Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero, Estadio Padre Martearena in Salta, Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, and Estadio Gigante de Arroyito in Rosario.
The eight Argentine venues matches the number to be used by Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027. They are joined, in the bid, by three further venues. They are Maracanã Stadium (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Estadio Nacional (Santiago, Chile), and Estadio Centenario (Montevideo, Uruguay).
| Stadium | City | Country | Capacity | Most Recent Los Pumas Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estadio Monumental | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 101,000 (in 2029) | 2002: vs Australia |
| Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes | Córdoba | Argentina | 57,000 | 2026: vs Scotland |
| Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona | La Plata | Argentina | 53,000 | 2014: vs New Zealand |
| Estadio José Amalfitani | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 49,540 | 2026: vs South Africa |
| Estadio Gigante de Arroyito | Rosario | Argentina | 46,955 | 2013: vs Australia |
| Estadio Malvinas Argentinas | Mendoza | Argentina | 40,268 | 2026: vs Australia |
| Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades | Santiago del Estero | Argentina | 30,000 | 2026: vs England |
| Estadio Padre Martearena | Salta | Argentina | 20,408 | 2025: vs. Uruguay |
| Maracanã Stadium | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | 78,838 | N/A (Non-Argentine Venue) |
| Estadio Centenario | Montevideo | Uruguay | 60,235 | N/A (Non-Argentine Venue) |
| Estadio Nacional | Santiago | Chile | 49,000 | N/A (Non-Argentine Venue) |
 COMPARED TO RUGBY WORLD CUP 2027 AUSTRALIA |
The Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia is structured around a highly consolidated layout of eight world-class venues across seven host cities, prioritizing established infrastructure and streamlined fan accessibility. Headlined by the 82,000-seat Stadium Australia in Sydney—which will host the final—the Australian lineup features iconic, multi-purpose arenas such as the Perth Stadium (60,000) and the fully enclosed Docklands Stadium in Melbourne (53,000), scaling down to the tropical 25,000-capacity North Queensland Stadium in Townsville.
When contrasted with the South American 2035 bid, major structural and geographical differences emerge. While Australia relies heavily on traditional, oval-shaped cricket and Australian Rules football grounds adjusted for rugby, the South American proposal is more built around, rectangular association soccer cathedrals like the Maracanã and Estadio Centenario. Furthermore, whereas Australia’s tournament is contained within a single nation, the 2035 South American bid represents a sweeping multi-continental effort spanning eleven stadiums across four distinct countries, offering a larger total seating capacity anchored by the expanded 101,000-seat Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
South America holds a foundational place in soccer history, having hosted five FIFA World Cups starting with the inaugural tournament in 1930 (Uruguay), followed by 1950 (Brazil), 1962 (Chile), 1978 (Argentina), and 2014 (Brazil). Additionally, the continent will kick off the 2030 FIFA World Cup centenary celebrations with special opening matches hosted in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Three iconic venues from the proposed 2035 South American rugby bid overlap directly with this soccer legacy.
 SOUTH AMERICAN RUGBY COMES TOGETHER |
Félix Páez Molina, President of the UAR, said:
“The submission of this bid represents a very important step for Argentine rugby and for the entire region.
We have the opportunity to show the world our passion for this sport, our capacity to organize major events, and everything our countries have to offer. It is a challenge we embrace with the deep conviction that our region deserves an opportunity of this magnitude. It is a project that excites us and one we are building together with the region’s unions and Sudamérica Rugby, with the aspiration that, for the first time, a Rugby World Cup might be played in this part of the world.”
Marcello Calandra, President of Sudamérica Rugby, added:
“Submitting the bid to host the Rugby World Cup demonstrates how united our region is—working together and pursuing common goals. We are confident that we have done everything necessary to convince World Rugby and Rugby World Cup of the many positive attributes we offer as a host.
We have the support of our national and state governments, as well as the rugby communities of the four countries, all of whom have driven this effort with tremendous passion.
Hosting a World Cup in our region is a long-awaited milestone, and we are confident that we are an ideal candidate.”
Martín Jaco, president of the Brazilian Rugby Confederation, stated:
“Brazil Rugby recognizes that the holding of the Rugby World Cup in South America represents an important opportunity to promote the development and consolidation of rugby throughout the continent, expand the reach and attractiveness of the sport — especially among younger generations — and strengthen the sporting and institutional links between the countries of the region.
The candidacy of Argentina and the region brings together relevant attributes to successfully organize a world-class event. These factors offer favorable conditions to host a tournament that meets the high standards and requirements established by World Rugby.
For us, being part of the candidacy and being able to receive games at home would be a source of enormous joy and also a great commitment.”
Cristián Rudloff, president of Chile Rugby, declared:
“It is an absolute honor to be assigned all the documentation to formalize the candidacy for Rugby World Cup 2035, in a historic alliance led by Argentina, with Chile, Brazil and Uruguay as match venues. Seeing the Cóndores and our country integrating this world-class project gives us an indescribable pride and consolidates the exponential growth of ours.
This candidacy crosses borders: it represents the shared dream of an entire continent united by peace, values and love of rugby.”
Finally, Fabio Magno, president of the Uruguayan Rugby Union, concluded:
“The possibility of hosting the Rugby World Cup in our country would be something truly spectacular. We have been part of the World Cups since 1999 and we know the benefits that participation brings. Therefore, the dream that the tournament is played in our country and in the region would cause a very positive wave for our sport. Also, the fact of being a “The challenge of the entire region makes everything even more special for us.”
| SOUTH AMERICA AT RUGBY WORLD CUPS |
The Rugby World Cup is one of the world’s largest and most successful international sporting events, as well as the financial engine driving the growth of our sport. The 2023 edition in France attracted over 2.3 million spectators to matches and generated 1.33 billion viewing hours; its commercial success resulted in a record surplus of £472 million, earmarked for reinvestment in the sport.
Ensuring that future events build upon this success is fundamental to World Rugby’s strategic mission to expand the tournament’s reach, value, and impact for rugby globally. Furthermore, the Rugby World Cup has consistently demonstrated the benefits of hosting the tournament, boosting local economies and generating a lasting impact.
The most recent edition of the men’s flagship event alone generated €1.8 billion in spending and a net economic benefit of €871 million for France, while driving positive social change through community initiatives and fan-focused activities.
Los Pumas have competed in every World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987, reaching three semi-finals and finishing third in 2007. Argentina is the only Rugby World Cup Semi Finalist to never have hosted a Rugby World Cup match.
Uruguay first played at a Rugby World Cup in 1999 and, in 2027, will participate in its sixth Rugby World Cup. Chile will play its second World Cup next year, in Australia. Brazil participated for the first time in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025.
